Electric-current controller.



PA TENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

L. BRADLEY, ELECTRIC GURRRENT CONTROLLER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11. 1901. RENEWED .gEPT. 8, 1902.

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No. 723,817. PATB'NTED MAR. 31, 1903.

L. BRADLEY.

ELECTRIC GURRRBNT CONTROLLER. APPLICATION FILED NOV.11. 1901. RENEWED SEPT. e. 1902.

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UNITED STATES LYNDE BRADLEY, OF MILWVAUKEE, TO STANTON ALLEN, OF

PATIENT OFFICE.

VVISOONSIN, ASSIGNOItOF ONE-HALF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC-CURRENT CONTROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,817, dated March 31, 1903.

Application filed November 11,1901. Renewed September 8. 1902. Serial No. 122,480. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, LYNDE BRADLEY, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukeeand State ofWisconsin,haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Electric- .Ourrent Controllers, of which the following is a description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in electric-current controllers.

An important object of the invention is to provide in the construction of an electric-current-controlling device, which embodies the employment of a column of compressible resistance medium or plates, a means whereby said medium'or plates may be subjected to a gradual compression in order to effect a gradual cutting out of the resistance in contradistinotion to a sudden elimination of said resistance.

A further object resides in a machine of the above-described class, but wherein a plurality of columns of resistance mediums or plates are employed, a means whereby the several resistance-columns are subjected to a simultaneous compression.

A further object resides in the provision of an improved and simple form of compression means.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view the invention consists of the devices and parts or their equivalents, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of the invention, certain parts being broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, with a part broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the upper portion of the machine above the ends of the tubes which contain the resistance-plates. Fig. 4 is a plan view,'with parts broken away; and Fig. ,5 is a diagrammatic View.

The frame of the machine may be of any desirable form of construction best adapted In the drawingslshow aframe'consisting of four upright corne-rrposts 6, connected at their upper endsbyconnecting-pieces 7. The cornerposts are suitably braced by means of bracebars 8. -Between'theupright posts are arranged vertical tubes 9, the opposite ends of which pass through plates 10 10, the extremities of the tubes being exteriorly threaded, so as to adapt jam-nuts 11 to be turned thereon against plates. The ends of the plates rest, respectively, on the parallel upper and lower brace-bars 8. Between the uprights, near the lower ends thereof, is a base-plate 12, which supports a series of sockets 13, said sockets receiving therein the lower ends of the tubes. Depending from the tubes and extending through openingsin thelowerbaseplate are binding-screws 14.

Within the tubes 9 are a series of resistance-plates 15, which are shaped to conform to the shape of the tubes. As the tubes are preferably circular in cross-section, the resistance-plates should be of a corresponding shape when the tubes of circular form are employed. I have found by experience that carbon plates providev the most eifective resistance medium, and hence I prefer to employ plates composed of that material. These plates are insulated from the metal of the tubes 9 by means of tubes 16, arranged Within the tubes 9 and surrounding the resistance-plates. In the bottom of each tube 9 is a metallic block 17, upon which rests the column or pile of resistance-plates. A similar metallic block 18 rests on the upper of the resistance-plates and projects slightly through the open top of the tube 9.

In connection with a column of resistanceplates I employ means for compressing said plates, so as to'gradually diminish their resistance to the electric current, and where a plurality of columns of resistance-plates are employed I use in conjunction with the compression means mechanism for causing a .uniform and simultaneous pressure upon the several columns of plates. The compression device shown in the accompanying drawings is a cam 19, carried upon a rock-shaft 20, said shaft mounted in suitable bearings in the framework. This rock-shaft has extending therefrom an operating handle 21, which works over a segment 22. The cam is adapted to operate upon a movable carriage, comprising upper and lower plates 23 and 24, respectively, and between which plates the cam 19 is located. The cam is provided with an upwardly extending projection 25, which bears against the upper plate 23, while the lower curved edge of the cam bears against the lower plate 24. The carriage may be guidedin its up-and-down movement by any suitable means; but I prefer to employ guide rods or rails 26, which are surrounded by tubes 27, said tubes passing through the two plates 23 and 24 of the carriage and having their upper portions threaded to receive jamnuts 28, which are turned against the plates 23 and 24. The tubes 27 are surrounded between the plates 23 and 24 by outer tubes 29, which serve to space and hold the said plates therequireddistanceapart. Depending from the lower plate 24 are rods 30, upon the lower ends of which is carried a block 31, the rods passing loosely through openings in the block, so as to permit said block to have vertical play or movement on the rods. Interposed between the upper side of the block and the under side of the plate 24 is a bowed spring 32. The block 31 has plates 33 33 depending from opposite side edges thereof, the lowcrends of said plates forming bearings for a shaft 34. A rocking plate 35 is carried on the shaft 34. This plate is provided on its under side with depending bearings for a shaft 36, extending at right angles to the shaft 34. Mounted centrally on this shaft 36 and extending transversely of the plate 35 are other rocking plates 37 37. The under sides of these plates are covered with suitable insulating material, and beneath this insulating-sheet are other metallic plates 38, the insulating-sheets being intermediate of said plates 38 and the under sides of the plates 37. The plates 38 and the interposed insulating-sheets are secured to the plates 37 by means of bolts 39, which are also suitably insulated. The plates 38 carry on their under sides bowed springs 40, each spring being preferably made up of a series of leaves. The ends of each of these springs are adapted to contact with the upper metallic blocks 18 of two of the tubes 9. Mounted on the shaft 20 on opposite sides of the cam 19 are drums 41 41. The periphery of each of these drums is provided with wide contact-strips 42 42, and one of the drums has two other narrower con tact-strips 43 43'. Extending from the framework are contact-fingers 44 44 and 45 45. The fingers 44 44 are adapted to make contact with the contact-strip 42 when the lever 21 is turned in one direction, and the fingers 45 45 are adapted to make contact with said strip 42 when the lever 21 is turned in the opposite direction. Other. contact-fingers 46 46 are adapted to make contact with the strip 43 or 43 of the drum 41 in accordance with the direction of the turning of the handle 21. Ex-

. tending from the framework are two other sets of contact-fingers, one of said sets being indicated by the numerals 46 46 and the other set by the numerals 47 47. The set of fingers 46 are adapted to make contact with the strip 42 when the lever 21 is turned in one direction, and the fingers 47 47 are adapted to make contact with said strip 42 when the lever 21 is turned in theopposite direction.

It will be noticed that the segment 22, over which the lever 21 works, is provided centrally with a recess 48, which is adapted to be engaged by a spring-actuated dog 49, carried by the lever when said lever is in the upright central position illustrated in the drawings.

Referring to the diagrammatic View Fig. 5, the numeral 50 indicates the motor-armature, and 51 the motor-field.

In explanation of the operation of the invention it will be supposed that the current comes in from the line wire over the wire Ct, (shown in the diagrammatic view.) This current will then pass through the resistanceplates in the tube 9 whenever the lever 21 is thrown to either side sufficiently far to bring the plate 42 into contact with either the set of fingers 44 44 or 45 45 in the case of one drum, and in the case of the other drum the fingers 46 46 or 47 47 in contact with the plate 42 in accordance with the direction of the tu rning of said lever. It will be supposed that the lever is turned so that the fingers 45 45 and 47 47 are in contact with the plates 42 42. The current will then pass from the resistance-plates over the wire I), thence by branch wire 0 to one of the fingers 45, thence across the plate 42 to the'other finger 45, thence by way of wire at to the motor-armature, thence from the armature by wire a, thence to one of the fingers 47 and across plate 42 to the other finger 47, thence by branch wirefto wire g, thence by wire 9 back through the motor-field to the line-Wire. In order to reverse the operation, the lever is thrown in the opposite direction to that above referred to, and the current will then be completed as follows: through the wire a,thence through the resistauce-plates in the tube 9, thence by way of wireb upwardly to one of the fingers 44. It will be understood that the currentcannot pass by way of the fingers 45, as was the case on the other adjustment, for the-reason that on this movementof the operating-lever the plate 42 is not in contact with said fingers 45, but is in contact with the fingers 44. Hence the current will pass from one of said fingers 44 over the plate 42 to the other finger 44, thence by way of the wire it to wire 6, thence through the motor-armature, thence by way of wire d, thence onto wire 71, thence by finger 46 across plate 42 to the other finger 46, thence by way of wire 9 through the field, and thence to the line-wire. When the minimum amount of resistance has been reached by means of compression, it is necessary to short-circuit, so as to cut out entirely the resistance afforded by the resistance-plates. It will be understood that it is impossible to entirely eliminate the resistance of the carbon plates by means of pressure, and hence the neces- ICO sity for short-cirouiting, so as to entirely out said tubes out of the circuit. In the operation of this short-circuiting,when the lever 21 is thrown to either side to the full extent of compression, one of the plates 43 or 43, in accordance with the direction the lever is thrown, is brought into contact with the fingers 46' 46. When this'occurs, the circuit is as follows: along wire a, up wirej, thence by way of one of the fingers 46, and across whichever of the plates 43 or 43 may be in contact with said fingers, to the other finger 46, thence by way of branch wire it to wire b, and from this point the circuit is completed as before described. It will be understood that when the full compression movement of the lever is completed the slight additional movement thereof necessary to effect the above short-circuiting is permitted by the bowed spring 32. r

While in the diagrammatic view only one of the tubes 9 is shown, yet in a machine in' which a plurality of said tubes are employed,

as illustrated in the other views of the drawings, these tubes are electrically connected, so that the current will pass through the resistance-plates of one, thence through the resistance-plates of the other, and so on throughout the series of tubes. In the position of the lever 21 shown in the drawings the current is not passing through the resistanceplates, in view of the fact thatthe position of the drums 41 and 41 is such that the contact-plates 42 42 are out of contact with the contact-fingers.

By my improved form of compression means, wherein a spring-pressure is brought to bear on a column of the resistance-plates, a gradual compression of said plates is effected, and hence a gradual lessening of the resistance thereby efiected. This is an important feature in view of the fact that if the resistance-plates were subjected to a non-,

yielding device in the operation of compressionthe decrease of theresistance would be practically efiected at once, and hence the desirable object of cutting out the resistance gradually would not be as efiectually accomplished.

Another important feature of my invention when the machine is'equipped with a plurality of columns of the resistance-plates is the provision of means whereby an equal compression is exerted simultaneously upon the resistance-plates in the several tubes. This is elfected specifically by the movable carriage equipped with the pivoted plate 35, which plate 35 in turn carries therebeneath the medially-pivoted rocking plates 37, having on their under sides the springs 40, the opposite ends of each spring exerting pressure against the resistance-plates in a set of the tubes 9.

While I have described a specific construction foraccomplishingthe gradual elimination I of the resistance aiforded by the resistancewhich resides generically in providingin connection with a column of resistance-plates a means for eifecting a gradual compression of said plates and in the case of a plurality of columns of resistance-plates a means for exerting an'equal and simultaneous pressure upon all of the columns of resistance-plates.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings certain specific electrical connections, yet I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, inasmuch as it is obvious that the circuit may be established in any desirable manner;

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In an electric current controller, the combination of an electrical circuit, a resistance medium, means for bringing said resistance medium into and out of the circuit, means for exerting a pressure on the resistance medium, said means, when ata normal position, not exerting pressure on the resistance medium, but exerting pressure thereon when operated.

2. In an electric current controller, the combination of an electric circuit, a resistance medium, means for bringing said resistance medium into and out of the circuit, a lever adapted to act on the resistance medium, said lever in its normal position not exerting pressure on the resistance medium, but exerting pressure thereon'when operated.

3. In an electric-current controller, the combination of an electrical circuit, a resistance medium, means for bringing said resistance medium into and out of said circuit, means for subjecting the resistance medium to a gradually-increasing compression, said means when at a normal position not exerting pressure on the resistance medium,'but exerting pressure thereon when'operated.

4. In an electric current controller, .the combination of an electrical circuit, aresistance medium, means for bringing said resistance medium into and out of said circuit, means for subjecting the resistance medium toa gradually-increasing cushioned compression, said means when at a normal position not exerting pressure on the resistance medium, but exertingpressure thereon when operated.

5. In an electric currentcontroller,v the combination of an electric'circuit, a plurality to a gradually-increasing and equal compression. i

6. In an electric current controller, the combination of an electric circuit, a plurality of electrically-connectedcolumns containing resistance medium, meanstor bringing said columns into and out .of the .circuit, and means forsubj ectin g said resistance mediums to a gradually-increasing and equal springcushioned compression.

7. In an electric current controller, the combination of a framework, a resistance medium carried thereby, an electric circuit, means for bringing the resistance medium into and out of the circuit, a carriage in the framework, said carriage carrying a springcushioned plate adapted to have an independent movement toward and from said carriage, a pressure device carried by the independently-movable plate, and adapted to act against the resistance medium, when the carriage is moved in one direction, and means for reciprocating the carriage.

8. In an electric -'current controller, the combination of a framework, a resistance medium carried thereby, an electric circuit, means for bringing the resistance medium into and out of the circuit, a carriage in the framework, said carriage carrying a springcushioned plate adapted to have an independent movement toward and from said carriage, a spring-pressure device carried by the independently-movable plate, and adapted to act against the resistance medium, when the carriage is moved in one direction, and means for reciprocating the carriage.

9. In an electric controller,the combination of a framework, a resistance medium carried thereby, an electric circuit, means for bringing the resistance medium into and out of the circuit, a carriage in the framework, said carriage comprising upper and lower plates spaced a suitable distance apart, and the lower plate carrying a pressure device adapted to act upon the resistance medium, a rockshaft, a cam and an operating-lever mounted thereon, said cam being located between the plates of the carriage, and having its lower edge adapted to bear against the lower plate of the carriage, and provided with an upward projection adapted to bear against the upper plate of said carriage.

10. In an electric-current controller, the combination of a framework, guide rods or rails, a resistance medium, an electrical circuit, means for bringing the resistance medium into and out of the circuit, a carriage in the framework, tubes extending from the carriage and surrounding the rods or rails and adapted to travel thereon, a pressure device carried by the carriage and adapted to act against the resistance medium, and compress the same, and means for reciprocating the carriage.

11. In an electric-current controller, the

combination of a framework, acarriage therein, means for reciprocating said carriage, electrically-connected resistance mediums, means for bringing said resistance mediums into and out of the circuit, a plate arranged beneath and pivoted medially to the under side of the carriage, and other plates pivoted medially to the under side of the last-referredto plate on pivots at right angles to the pivot of said plate,'and having their ends in posipivoted medially to the under side of the lastreferred-to plate on pivots at right angles to the pivot of said plate, and having their ends in position to act against and compress the resistance mediums, when the carriage is moved in one direction.

13. In an electric-current controller, the

combination of a framework, a carriage therein, means for reciprocating said carriage, electrically-connected resistance mediums, means for bringing said resistance mediums into and out of the circuit, a plate arranged beneath and pivoted medially to the under side of the carriage, other plates pivoted medially to the under side of the last-referred-to pivoted plate on pivots at right angles to the pivot of said plate, and spring compression devices carried by the last-mentioned pivoted plates, each compression device having its opposite ends in position to act upon and compress two of the resistance mediums.

14. In an electric-current controller, the combination of a framework, a carriage therein, said carriage comprising upper and lower plates spaced a suitable distance apart, an electric circuit, a resistance medium, compression device carried by the carriage and adapted to act on the resistance medium, when the carriage is moved in one direction, and thereby com press said resistance medium, a rock-shaft, a cam mounted thereon, the lower edge of said cam adapted to act on the lower plate of the carriage, and said cam having an upward projection adapted to act on the upper plate of the carriage, drums mounted on the rock-shaft, said drums provided with contact-plates, contact-fingers projecting from the framework, said fingers being in the electrical circuit, and an operating-lever extending from the rock-shaft, and adapted, when swung in either direction, to cause the compression device to act on the resistance medium, and thereby compress the same, the movement of said lever at the same time rotating the drums so as to bring the contactplates of said drums into engagement with the contact-fingers and thereby complete the circuit through the resistance medium.

15. In an electric-current controller, the combination of an electric circuit, a resistance medium, a compression device, means for actuating said compression device so as to cause the same to act upon and gradually compress the resistance medium, means for bringing the resistance medium into and out of the electrical circuit, when the compression device is acting on said resistance medium, and means for short-circuiting or sh unting resistance medium at a certain stage 01: the compression.

16. In an electriccurrent controller, the combination of an electric circuit, columns of electrically-connected resistance mediums, means for bringing said resistance mediums into and out of the circuit, a reciprocating device, and compression devices so connected to the reciprocating device as to have a universal movement, said compression devices adapted to act on the resistance mediums, and thereby cause a gradual and equal compression of said mediums.

17. In an electric-current controller, the combination of an electrical circuit, a resistance medium, means for bringing the resistance medium into and out of said circuit, and means for subjecting said resistance medium to a gradually-increasing spring-cushioned compression, said means when at a normal position not exerting pressure on the resistance medium, but exerting pressure thereon when operated.

18. In an electric-current controller, the

V combination of an electrical circuit, a plurality of resistance mediums, means for bringing said resistance mediums into and out of said circuit, and means for subjecting said resistance mediums to a gradually-increasing and simultaneous compression, said means when at a normal position not exerting pressure on the resistance mediums, but exerting pressure thereon when operated.

19. In an electric controller, the combination of an electrical circuit, a resistance medium, means for bringing said resistance medium into and out of circuit, a lever, said lever under one operation adapted to cause a pressure on the resistance medium, and under another operation to cause a lessening of the pressure on the resistance medium, and

reversing mechanism operated by the lever and adapted to reverse the current, when the lever is operated in a direction to effect the compression.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LYNDE BRADLEY.

Witnesses A. L. MORSELL, ANNA V. FAUST. 

